Fitness, Health, Research|March 7, 2010 8:23 am

Is Bacteria Making You Fat?



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measuringwaist 300x225 Is Bacteria Making You Fat?Bacteria in your digestive tract might be making you ill and fat, according to a new study that points at “tummy bugs” as the potential cause of increased appetite as well as high cholesterol and blood pressure.

“It’s been assumed that the obesity epidemic is driven by an increasing sedentary lifestyle and the abundance of low-cost high-calorie foods,” lead author Andrew Gewirtz of Atlanta’s Emory University said.

“However, our results suggest that intestinal bacteria contribute to changes in appetite and metabolism.”

So, if further studies confirm the exact bacteria causing obesity, can we take antibiotics to get rid of the bugs? Not for sure, says Gewirtz.  “It is very hard to replace the bacteria that you have.”

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Author: Lolita Carrico is the founder of the Gloss Network for Women. Lolita has been featured as an expert on hundreds of media outlets like Redbook, Parents, The Washington Post, ABC News and FOX News, discussing topics such as parenting, relationships, career and balancing it all. Follow her on Twitter @lolita
  • J Ferrari

    Probiotics found is some yogurts like Greek yogurt may help. It’s worth a try. XO

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  • Amo Sales

    To whom this may concern,
    I cannot even believe the lack of knowledge involved in this article… I am shocked. Okay, you ask if antibiotics may help with the bacteria? Okay, wow. Well, it IS the antibiotics causing the bad bacteria to proliferate! Taking antibiotics kills the good bacteria in your intestines. It creates imbalance. So, taking antibiotics to kill the bacteria that “causes obesity” is the WORST thing you could do! (As well as completely ignorant). It will kill ALL bacteria, including the good… and this good bacteria is what we need for our bodies to remain healthy, and even thin. So, if you are truly concerned with obesity, you will want your good bacteria to thrive… not kill it by taking antibiotics! Antibiotics make you fat! Eat a lot of yogurt with PROBIOTICS. Take probiotics to help with obesity. The bad bacteria aided by antibiotics creates obesity. Bad bacteria creates yeast, which creates bloating, gas, and fat. Good bacteria combats it.

  • Elizabeth DeHart

    Antibiotics? Are you kidding me?

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